Summit Steward

2026 Steward Job Description, Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain

• Attend scheduled orientation/ training days.
• Receive, store, read, and absorb the materials in the Friends’ resource library.
• Perform minor trail maintenance on both trails, as needed, cleaning water bars, brushing in over-trafficked areas, etc.
• Maintain the summit area in a pristine condition. Place and manage plant care signs and borders.
• Keep trail register stocked with interpretive fliers.
• Carry out needed cleaning and minor maintenance of the fire tower.
• Assist with Friends’ scheduled work projects.
• Attend Friends’ meetings.
• When on summit duty, present a clean, neat personal appearance, including wearing Friends’ hat/shirt.
• Present a friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic, polite personality.
• Greet, engage, educate the hiking public regarding the cultural and natural history of fire towers, the trails, Poke-O-Moonshine and its local area, and the Adirondack Park.
• Educate regarding these, encouraging their respectful and sustainable use.
• Gently police fire tower access and any hikers who are behaving inappropriately: overly loud voices, unruly behavior, playing music loudly, running, stepping or sitting on the restored summit grassy areas, leaving trash, throwing rocks, breaking branches, making campfires, etc.
• Invite highly interested visitors to receive the Friends’ mailing list; share newsletters with these hikers.
• Pass out signed “Summit Cards” to interested hikers; these certify that they have climbed the mountain, and contain our contact information.
• Communicate with The Friends’ Coordinator at least once per week, as regular supervision for any work-related questions and issues. Follow applicable DEC procedures.
• If applicable, perform all duties required by Environmental or Expeditionary Studies or related college course work and supervisor.
• The work week is 40 hours, Thursday–Monday, late May– early September. Pay for 2026 is $22/hour.

Qualifications
Upper-division college undergraduates or graduates with appropriate field(s) of study, and strong interpersonal and public speaking skills. Candidates must be physically fit and able to work alone in a remote location under adverse weather conditions, and have the willingness and experience to relate with people of all ages and backgrounds. Basic Red Cross 1st Aid/CPR and Leave No Trace certifications preferred. Candidates must provide their own transportation. Candidates should be familiar with The Friends of Poke-O-Moonshine and its work.

Location: Essex County, Town of Chesterfield, Taylor Pond Wild Forest. 
Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain is located near the northeast end of the Adirondack Park, west of NYS Route 9 and the Northway.

Poke-O-Moonshine Trail – 1.5 miles from Ranger Trailhead to fire tower and summit and 2.3 miles from southerly Observer Trailhead to junction with Ranger Trail. Vertical ascent, 1,280 feet. Two routes up the mountain converge at the site of thebobserver’s cabin ruin. The older route, known as the Ranger Trail, originates at a foot trailhead in Poke-O-Moonshine Campground. The old jeep road, known as the Observers’ Trail, follows a meandering route of gentle ascent beginning south on NYS Route 9. 
Trail register figures range from 3,000 to 5,000 visitors a year.  Summit is tree-covered with open rock areas with views. The tower stands alone in a clearing on exposed ledge at the summit. The east face of the mountain has 1,000 feet ofvcliffs that are popular with rock climbers. Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains are to the east. Deerfield Mountain can be seen in the southwest and beyond it the open ridges of the Jay Range. Additional views to the southwest include the High Peaks and Whiteface Mountain. Parts of the Adirondack Northway are visible to the north and south.

A lean-to is situated approximately 180 feet south of the cabin site along the Observers” Trail.